Woman dead, five others ejected from boat in race in Florida Keys

Woman dead, five others ejected from boat in race in Florida Keys

KEY WEST - One person died and five others were ejected from a boat that was involved in a powerboat race in the Florida Keys, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said Friday.

At about 4 p.m. Thursday, FWC officers were notified of a single vessel accident in Monroe County, spokeswoman Arielle Callender said.

The vessel, a 39-foot Deep Impact with operator Reinaldo Aquit, 47, of Miami Beach, and seven passengers was traveling from Miami to Key West.   

Reinaldo Aquit, 67, of Miami Beach, operated the 39-foot Deep Impact in the Florida  Keys. Reinaldo Aquit

While navigating in Calda Channel north of Key West, the vessel made a hard right and overturned, causing six aboard to be ejected. 

Good Samaritans on nearby vessels assisted those in the water.   

The victims, including Aquit, were taken to local hospitals for treatment with one deceased, Callender said. On Friday, the fatal victim was identified as Stephanie Rodriguez, 28, of Hialeah.

CBS News Miami's Larry Seward spoke to the brother of the victim, who said they learned about her death about 9 p.m. Thursday and are seeking details of what happened. 

Six people were ejected from a 39-foot Deep Impact, similar to the one pictured, in the Florida Keys. Deep Impact

On Thursday, Callender said five people were ejected and the boat struck a sandbar and rolled.

In an update Friday night, Callender said the vessel was involved in a powerboat race.

In August, a Miami man and a 9-year-old boy died after their Yamaha personnel watercraft crashed into a seawall in Marathon.

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